If you want to keep your original cluster its up to you to find the right combination of speedo heads and VSS switches. 1G/3G's did not come with a VSS in the CDM market. Someone with the specific USDM information should leave a link here if you want the OE cluster solution. I've tried to adapt a VSS to a CDM cluster and it will not work. The VSS switch is only part of the problem, the Drums appear to be different from VSS to non-VSS clusters, in that the VSS drum had the four-point magnet to switch the reed switch, and the non-VSS has a dummy drum. To tell which you have, the VSS drum is round with a flat or curved washer on the end, where the non-VSS is just a round drum.
The reason for this swap for me was to get a working VSS cluster in my CDM 3G Civic for a D16 Blacktop swap with fully electronic ignition. This swap gives you a gauge cluster with a working VSS, no need to open the unit unless you are correcting mileage. The dash needs to be slightly cut to relocate the speedometer on the Civic, probably similar on the CRX. You'll need the small connector from the EF Cluster because it has two more pins.
*** an interesting note about this swap ***
My CDM 1G/3G's all have Denso clusters, with no VSS.
The CDM 2G/4G's have Senkei clusters, all with VSS.
Is this the fundamental difference between Denso and Senkei? The VSS?
Moving on...
This EF Cluster came from a 90-91 Civic, and is larger with the larger cluster hood. The 88-89 is much shorter and probably would not fit cleanly in the 1G/3G cluster hood. This swap relies on keeping the cluster stationary with nothing more than a shop rag and the pressure of the cluster hood. You have to cut out the old cluster mounts to make room for this cluster. I don't have a picture, just cut to fit.
I used a dremel with a cutting wheel to make all the modifications to the dash. Without it cutting the dash would have been a lot more sloppy.
First, Note the difference in the location of the Speedometer cable to speedo head:
A dremel will make short work of that piece of dashboard:
Newly Positioned Speedo Cable:
At this point all you need to do is re-pin the connectors and you're done!
Below is the small connector (8-pin) wired up to work with the EF Cluster. Remember, this is an EF plug!
Black: Ground
Yellow/Red: VSS
Green/Black: Trunk
Blue/Yellow: Belt
Yellow/White: Fuel Guage
Yellow: IG1+ 12V
Green/Yellow: Right Signal Indicator
Next is the large connector (12-pin) Again, position your wires this way. Both clusters use the same 12-pin connector here
Green/Blue: Left Signal Indicator
Red/Blue: High Beam Indicator
Yellow/Green: Coolant Temperature Gauge
Red/Black: Illumination
Red: Illumination
Green/Red: Brake Warning Light
Yellow/Red: Oil Pressure Warning Light
Green/Orange: Check Engine Light
Black/Yellow: Battery Light
White/Blue: Battery Light
Blue: Tach
And a couple of shots with the shop rag. Its just there to hold the cluster tight against the dash and cluster hood so it doesn't flop around.
And finally a few installed:
There are two very small gaps on the very outside edge of the cluster. Well its not perfect but its exactly what the computer wants. I was thinking of making some sort of plastic plate for the ends to hide it completely but I can live with it for now.
So I hope this helps anyone that wants to swap in a newer cluster that has a VSS already inside and will fit the cluster hood almost flawlessly, to easily get a VSS signal to the computer.
Cheers,
Mark
Edited by Rampage, 11 August 2009 - 08:40 PM.